Club legends restored to the heart of High Wycombe CC

HIGH Wycombe have delved into their glorious past to inspire their immediate future, with Matthew Eyles and Chris Sketchley handed integral positions ahead of the new Home Counties League season.

Eyles, who captained the side to league glory in 2011 and 2012 and also played in their 2005 and 2008 title winning sides, returns to lead the team again this season while Chris Sketchley has been named club captain.

Spin king Sketchley is also steeped in club tradition, having won four titles at London Road and taken 183 league wickets since making his debut ten years ago.

The thinking is that making these totems of the club the heartbeat again will restore the winning ethos that was diluted last season, when Wycombe were a shadow of themselves and spent the summer fighting relegation.

Chairman Geoff Morgan said: “We have a culture at the club that has developed over the years and we think that will be back now.

“Last season was a reality check, but we think it was a blip and with Matt in charge he will set some rules of what’s expected and the players will follow them.

“He’s got the respect of the players and with Chris as club captain we think there will be a change in mindset and attitude.

“I believe we’ve got the talent, we just need the team to play as a team rather than individuals. That will happen under Matt.”

Wycombe’s squad isn’t much different to last year with bowling all-rounder Gavin Baker the most significant arrival from Welwyn Garden City, but Morgan is expecting an awful lot more from the squad this time around and says climbing from relegation candidates to title challengers is not wishful thinking.

He said: “Everything is in place and there is a bit of a buzz here again, which is nice. I’ll be disappointed if we’re not fighting to be champions again.”

Wycombe begin their season with a 50-over home game against Aston Rowant on Saturday.